The Opium Wars were fought between China and Britain.

The Opium Wars were a series of two conflicts that took place between China and Britain in the mid-19th century. These wars had a significant impact on China's political, social, and economic landscape, and they marked a turning point in China's relationship with the Western world.

Background:
- In the 18th century, Britain began trading with China, primarily through the port of Canton (now Guangzhou). However, China had strict trade regulations and limited the types of goods that could be traded.
- Britain, seeking to address its trade imbalance with China, began smuggling large quantities of opium into China. Opium was grown in British-controlled India and was highly addictive. The Chinese government tried to suppress the opium trade, but it proved to be futile.
- The opium trade caused widespread addiction in China and resulted in a significant outflow of silver from the country. This led to an economic crisis and social instability.

The First Opium War (1839-1842):
- The First Opium War was sparked when Chinese authorities confiscated and destroyed British-owned opium in Canton. In response, the British sent a military expedition to China.
- The British forces had superior naval technology, and they quickly gained control of several Chinese coastal cities. The Chinese were no match for the British firepower.
- The Treaty of Nanking was signed in 1842, ending the First Opium War. China was forced to make several concessions, including opening up five ports for British trade, ceding Hong Kong to Britain, and paying a large indemnity.

The Second Opium War (1856-1860):
- The Second Opium War began when Chinese officials boarded a British-registered ship, the Arrow, and arrested several Chinese crew members. The British used this incident as a pretext to launch a second military expedition.
- Once again, the British forces easily defeated the Chinese. The French also joined the conflict, seeking to protect their Catholic missionaries in China.
- The war resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 and the Convention of Peking in 1860. These agreements further expanded Western access to Chinese ports, legalized the opium trade, and granted extraterritoriality to foreigners in China.

Impact:
- The Opium Wars exposed China's weakness and vulnerability to Western powers. They shattered the myth of Chinese superiority and marked the beginning of a period of humiliation and subjugation for China.
- The wars also had significant economic consequences. China was forced to open up its markets to Western goods, leading to the decline of traditional industries and the flooding of Chinese markets with cheap foreign products.
- Socially, the opium trade exacerbated addiction problems in China and contributed to the decline of the Qing Dynasty.
- The Opium Wars also had long-lasting effects on China's relationship with the Western world, setting the stage for further conflicts and unequal treaties in the years to come.